Ernest Harris Obituary (1922 - 2006)

WINTHROP - Ernest Glenwood Harris, 83, of Winthrop passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2006, at the Veterans Administration, Togus, after a long illness. He was born in in Caribou on Dec. 7, 1922, the son of Ernest Lee and Effie Evelyn (Sharp) Harris. After the death of his mother at an early age, Ernie moved to Litchfield and was grateful to the Russell Black and Ben Houser families and others who took him in. He graduated from Litchfield Academy in 1942. Ernie proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Fire Controlman, 3rd Class. On the USS Iowa he saw action in the Asiatic, Pacific, Philippine, and Southern Islands of Japan during World War II. He received numerous medals and honors including the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon, Philippine Ribbon with two battle stars, and the Asiatic-Pacific with six battle starts. He also served in the Korean War. After the wars, Ernie settled in Augusta, living on East Chestnut Street for 27 years. In 1976 he moved to and lived in his dream home on the lake on Memorial Drive in Winthrop where he resided until his illness. Ernie worked for Harris Bakery Co. as a home delivery man for years. He was an auto mechanic owning and operating first the ConyService Center and then Stone Street Sunoco in Augusta from 1961 to 1985. He was affectionately called 'Smiling Ernie' by all his customers. The customer always came first for him. During retirement he worked at Audette's Hardware in Winthrop until 1997. Ernie was a member of American Legion Post No. 40 and the Disabled American Veterans. Most of all, Ernie loved his family. He was always at his children's and grandchildren's functions, sports events, dance recitals, concerts, Legion parades or any other activity they were involved in. Papa Ernie also enjoyed spending time with them snowmobiling, boating, watching the Patriots and Red Sox, and especially playing cards with them on Sunday afternoons. He was predeceased by his father, mother, stepmother Sadie (O'Neil) Harris and two stillborn brothers. He is survived by the love of his life for 61 years, Virginia Taylor Harris, and three daughters, Pamela R. Massey and her husband, Michael, of Houston, Texas, Virginia (Ginger) H. Smith and her husband, Hariph, of Winthrop, and Jacqueline H. Ziebart and her fianc?, Robert Mangini, of Augusta; six grandchildren, Justin and Jordan Massey, Nathaniel and Christopher Smith, and Nicholas and Ashley Ziebart; and Liv Hagerman, a 1969 foreign exchange student from Norway who he continued to remain in touch. Ernie's family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff and volunteers at the Togus VA Nursing Home for the wonderful care and comfort extended to Ernie and his family throughout his illness. Relatives and friends may visit Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006, from 2-5 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where a Celebration of Ernie's Life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006. Burial will follow in Litchfield Plains Cemetery, Litchfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ernie's name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.